Movistar Plus+ has revealed the Pedro Almodóvar Bitter Christmas film announcement by Movistar Plus, introducing a new project from the celebrated Spanish filmmaker. The feature, titled Bitter Christmas (“Amarga Navidad”), will launch in Spanish cinemas in 2026 before making its exclusive streaming debut on Movistar Plus+, with Warner Bros. Pictures Spain handling theatrical distribution.
Acclaimed Director’s Latest Project Begins Production
Pedro Almodóvar, a renowned figure in international cinema, is currently directing Bitter Christmas across Madrid and Lanzarote. The production is managed by El Deseo, the company he operates with his brother Agustín Almodóvar, and is developed in collaboration with Movistar Plus+. This partnership builds on their established relationship and affirms Movistar Plus+’s commitment to supporting Spanish filmmaking talent.
Ensemble Cast Showcases Notable Performers
The upcoming film will feature a cast led by Bárbara Lennie, widely recognized for her role in Petra and a European Film Award nominee. The ensemble also includes Leonardo Sbaraglia, who previously starred in Pain and Glory, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón and Milena Smit from Parallel Mothers, Victoria Luengo of The Room Next Door, Patrick Criado from Riot Police, and Quim Gutiérrez, known for Darkbluealmostblack. This selection highlights Almodóvar’s tradition of creating narratives centered around strong female leads while assembling accomplished performers from the Spanish and European film industries.
Plot Highlights: Navigating Grief and Escapism
According to the provided synopsis, the story revolves around Elsa, an advertising director facing the loss of her mother during the December holiday season. In response, Elsa immerses herself in work, inadvertently postponing her grieving process. Her struggle becomes evident when a panic attack compels her to pause and reflect, with her partner Bonifacio supporting her through the ordeal. Seeking relief, Elsa travels to Lanzarote with her friend Patricia, both women searching for a respite from Madrid, while Bonifacio remains in the city.
The film intertwines the experiences of Elsa, Bonifacio, and Patricia with parallel stories involving several other characters, including the screenwriter and film director Raúl Durán. This structural interplay blurs the boundary between fiction and reality, with Bitter Christmas delving into the ways real life and storytelling merge—sometimes with emotional intensity.
Renewed Focus on Spanish Films at Movistar Plus+
The announcement of Bitter Christmas signals a strategic shift for Movistar Plus+, which recently saw the departure of its director of fiction and entertainment, Domingo Corral. The platform is moving forward with a promise to deliver more Spanish cinema, seeing Almodóvar’s new project as a cornerstone of this renewed dedication to national filmmakers. This initiative aligns with Movistar Plus+’s history of investing in prominent Spanish talent and expanding its catalog of homegrown productions.
The relationship between Pedro Almodóvar and Movistar Plus+ has produced successful outcomes in the past. Their previous collaboration,
The Room Next Door.· That film earned the Golden Lion at the 2024 Venice Film Festival and won three Goya Awards. Last month, Movistar Plus+’s Sirat,
from acclaimed director Oliver Laxe, won the Jury Prize at Cannes.
Looking Ahead to a Major Cinematic Release
As filming progresses for Bitter Christmas, anticipation builds around the confluence of established stars, a lauded creative team, and a story poised to examine the intersections of grief, escape, and personal transformation. The film is set to premiere in Spanish theaters in 2026, followed by an exclusive release on Movistar Plus+, continuing the platform’s mission to champion Spanish cinema while uniting celebrated directors such as Pedro Almodóvar, talented actors, and invested production partners.
